HC Deb 06 February 1840 vol 51 cc1343-6
Sir. F. Trench

said, he was about to address the House on a practical question, and one upon which he did not feel it necessary long to occupy the time of the House. He should wish, however, that, if possible, it should be discussed in a full House, as it was a subject in which all the hon. Members were interested. When the present mode of lighting the House had been first adopted, it had been suggested that time might be afforded for further experiments; that time had been afforded, and the House was now in a condition to pronounce its opinion as to the success of the experiments. He had taken great pains on that subject: he had incurred odium and obloquy, and some ridicule in consequence; but he should be amply rewarded if he were enabled to effect an improvement. The hon. and gallant Gentleman moved—" That the mode of lighting the House of Commons by wax candles, is preferable to the present manner of lighting, and that, therefore, the lustres and green shades be replaced forthwith."

Lord Eliot

would state one fact which he thought would induce the hon. and gallant Member to postpone his motion. Before they came to any decision, they ought to be afforded an opportunity of seeing the effect of the present light; but sufficient notice had not been given to Mr. Gurney, to enable him to complete his arrangements. He hoped that sufficient time would be given to complete those arrangements before the House came to any decision. He could accomplish all those arrangements during the Easter recess. He was acquainted with Mr. Gurney, and he was able to state that he was a man of talent and industry, and he should hope that the experiment would be fairly tried.

Mr. Hume

said, that Mr. Gurney had received very short notice to make the arrangements for lighting the House, but when sufficient time should be allowed him, there was no doubt that he would be able to remove any inconvenience which existed. There was one inconvenience which hon. Members must have noticed, namely, a sort of fog or mist which was sometimes perceived, but that arose not from the mode of lighting, but from the mode of ventilating the House, which filled the air with particles of dust, and rendered it unfit for respiration; it was caused by the House being ventilated from below. He hoped they would allow time to have the experiment fairly tried before they decided.

Mr. Warburton

, wished that the experiment should be fairly made, and the hon. and gallant Officer could at any subsequent period renew his motion. He found the greatest relief from the new mode of lighting, for, instead of numerous candles glaring in his face, the light was now above, and the hat formed a shade for the eyes. It was desirable that as large a number of Members as possible, should pronounce their opinions upon the subject, and it was peculiarly desirable, that the Speaker should state his opinions, which were most important.

Mr. Benett

said, he was a very old Member of the House, and was agreeably surprised, on first seeing the new light, to find, that though a little gloomy at first, on taking a paper of small print from his pocket, he found he had not been able to read for many years past, so well as on that occasion. He was perfectly satisfied, that this light was the best the House had yet tried. He should, therefore, vote at all events for a longer trial.

Mr. Briscoe

said, he was not so old a Member, nor was his sight so defective, though not so good as it had been. He felt it difficult to decide upon the subject, but was, on the whole, inclined to think he gave the preference to the present. With respect to the mist, he thought it did not arise from the light, but from the dust which arose from the numerous holes in the floor for the purpose of ventilation. There were gentlemen engaged in the gallery above, to whom the light and its effects were of the utmost consequence, and he had taken it upon himself to ask them their opinion respecting the present lights, and they were unanimous in its favour. He certainly would vote for the Bude light.

Colonel Salwey

considered, that they were greatly indebted to the hon. and gallant Member, for his repeated attempts to enlighten the House. He thought 'Twas sweet to view, from half-past five to six, Their long wax-candles, with short cotton wicks, Touch'd by the lamplighter's Promethean art, Start into light, and make the lighter start. Having seen it in that light, he should certainly support the hon. Member's wax-candle motion.

The House divided:—Ayes 69; Noes 50: Majority 19.

List of the AYES.
Alsager, Captain Hurt, F.
Arbuthnott, hon. H. Inglis, Sir R. H.
Ashley, Lord Irton, S.
Attwood, W. Jackson, Sergeant
Baillie, Colonel Jermyn, Earl
Barneby, J. Jones, J.
Barry, G. S. Knight, H. G.
Bentinck, Lord G. Lambton, H.
Boiling, W. Liddell, hon. H. T.
Bowes, J. Litton, E.
Bradshaw, J. Lygon, hon. Gen.
Bridgeman, H. Meynell, Captain
Broadley, H. Morris, D.
Burrell, Sir C. O'Ferrall, R. M.
Calcraft, J. H. Packe, C. W.
Chapman, A. Pakington, J. S.
Clerk, Sir G. Perceval, Colonel
Clive, hon. R. H. Polhill, F.
Cochrane, Sir T. J. Praed, W. T.
Darby, G. Pringle, A.
Dick, Q. Rae, rt. hon. Sir W.
Dowdeswell, W. Round, J.
Duncombe, hon. W. Rushbrooke, Colonel
Duncombe, hon. A. Salwey, Colonel
Ellis, J. Scarlett, hon. J. Y.
Filmer, Sir E. Shaw, rt. hon. F.
Gaskell, J. M. Sheppard, T.
Gordon, R. Shirley, E. J.
Gore, O. W. Smyth, Sir G. H.
Goulburn, rt. hon. H. Somerset, Lord G.
Graham, Sir J. Troubridge, Sir E. T
Grimsditch, T. Vere, Sir C. B.
Hodgson, R. Verner, Colonel
Hope, hon. C. TELLERS.
Hotham, Lord Trench, Sir F.
Houldsworth, T. Fremantle, Sir T.
List of the NOES.
Aglionby, Major Langdale, hon. C.
Baines, E. Lincoln, Earl of
Baring, rt. hon. F. T. Macaulay, rt. hn.T.B.
Barnard, E. G. Maule, hon. F.
Beamish, F. B. Morpeth, Viscount
Benett, J. Muntz, G. F.
Blake, M. J. Muskett, G. A.
Briscoe, J. I, Norreys, Sir D. J.
Brodie, W. B. Ord, W.
Brotherton, J. Pigot, D. R.
Bruges, W. H. Pusey, P.
Busfeild, W. Rickford, W.
Clay, W. Rolleston, L.
Crompton, Sir S. Russell, Lord J.
Currie, R. Sheil, rt. hon. R. L.
Duke, Sir J. Smith, B.
Eliot, Lord Staunton, Sir G. T.
Elliot, hon. J. E. Style, Sir C.
Evans, W. Teignmouth, Lord
Fenton, J. Turner, E.
Finch,F. Wallace, R.
Greg, R. H. Ward, H. G.
Greig, D. White, A.
Hughes, W. B. Winnington, Sir T. E,
TELLERS
Wyse, T. Hume, J.
Yates, J. A. Warburton, H.